Japanese MotoGP qualifying postponed due to thunderstorm

A heavy thunderstorm at the Japanese MotoGP disrupted the Saturday schedule, cancelling Free Practice 3 and postponing Qualifying 1 and 2.
Red flag, MotoGP, Japanese MotoGP, 24 September
Red flag, MotoGP, Japanese MotoGP, 24 September

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While the morning sessions were completed as planned, conditions deteriorated rapidly as Moto2 Qualifying 2 got underway with thunder, lightning and torrential rain forcing red flags.

MotoGP Free Practice 3 was cancelled outright. Then after a near two-hour delay, Moto2 Qualifying resumed.

Marc Marquez eventually took a sensational pole position when Qualifying was finally able to take place.

Marc Marquez, MotoGP, Japanese MotoGP, 24 September
Marc Marquez, MotoGP, Japanese MotoGP, 24 September

If it hadn't been possible for MotoGP qualifying to take place, Race Direction may have decided to use the combined practice results to decide Sunday’s grid.

Race day is forecast to be dry.

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